Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8600 Prayer and worship of the believer  »  8602 prayer  »  8615 prayer, doubts about

Sometimes God does not seem to answer prayer, causing his people to doubt him. Scripture affirms God's faithfulness to those who pray according to his will, and points out that the human understanding of a situation is limited.

Examples of God's servants questioning his promises

Exodus 5:22-23 See also Genesis 15:2-3; Joshua 7:7-9

Examples of God's servants questioning the tasks he has given them

Numbers 11:11-15 See also 1 Kings 19:4; Jeremiah 15:15-18; Jeremiah 20:7-9,14-18; Jonah 4:1-3; Matthew 27:46 pp Mark 15:34; Psalm 22:1

Examples of God's servants expressing their anger and confusion in prayer

Job 10:2-22 See also Job 13:20-27; Job 14:1-22; Psalm 13:1-2; Psalm 42:9-10; Psalm 44:22-26; Psalm 77:7-9; Psalm 80:4-6; Psalm 88:6-9; Habakkuk 1:2-3

God's response to prayers of questioning or complaint

God reiterates his promises to those who question him

Genesis 15:2-5 See also Exodus 6:1-8

God provides help for those who question him

1 Kings 19:1-8

God rebukes those who question him

Job 40:1-9 See also Jeremiah 15:19-21

God explains events to those who question him

Habakkuk 1:5-11

See also

5566  suffering, encouragements in
8482  spiritual warfare
8721  doubt
8726  doubters